Another outsider: BJP names TN's iLa Ganeshan for RS

BHOPAL: Former RSS pracharak and senior BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, iLa Ganeshan, 71, will go to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh on the seat vacated by Governor of Manipur Najma Heptullah. BJP president Amit Shah on Tuesday evening, announced the nomination of Ganeshan who is known to be close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his long association with the RSS.He is also former national secretary and vice-president of the BJP.At present he is member of the BJP national council.
BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said, "iLa Ganeshan is senior BJP leader and he is not to be confused with L Ganeshan former MP of the DMK. iLa Ganeshan has been former state BJP chief in Tamil Nadu."
Ganeshan is being sent to the Upper House from Madhya Pradesh to give more representation to Tamil Nadu in the BJP. It is probable that he could be later accommodated in the Union government which presently has only one member from Tamil Nadu, minister of state for roads and highways Pon Radhakrishnan.
Rajya Sabha bye-poll was announced for the seat of former Union minister Najma Heptullah whose term was to end on April 2018. She vacated her seat soon after being appointed Governor of Manipur in August. Polling for the Rajya Sabha seat has been scheduled for October 17.
He will not be the first BJP leader from the south to go to the Upper House from the state. Ex Union minister and BJP leader from Kerala O Rajagopal was sent to RS twice from here between 1992 and 2004. He was Union minister of state for defence, parliamentary affairs, urban development, law and justice in the Atal Behari Vajpayee government.